Jake Joseph Mazzu, Jr., 62 died Wednesday morning at Christus St. Elizabeth Hospital from complications of diabetes and heart failure.
He is survived by his wife of forty years Catherine; son, Jake and his wife Sharon; sisters, Marie Bando, Benita Brown, Juanita St. Clair and his precious aunt, Lucille Mazzu Leblanc. He is preceded in death by his brother Frank; parents, Angie and Jake Mazzu, Sr.; grandparents, Benita and Frank Barranco; and his beloved nephew, Alan St. Clair.
Jake owned Jake Mazzu Produce Company, a multimillion-dollar operation that services Texas and Louisiana. He took his father’s dreams and built a produce empire. Starting out selling newspapers for five cents on the streets of downtown Beaumont and working at his brother-in law Butch Bando’s gas station in the 50’s help shaped his desire to become an independent businessman.
After serving in the United States Air Force, where he was in communications, he returned to Beaumont and married the love of his life, he affectionately called Miss Cathy. Working side by side for the last forty years, they opened Mazzu’s Drive In at the corner of South 11th at St. James Boulevard in the mid 60”s. In the early 70’s they expanded into wholesale produce. By the mid 80’s, they outgrew that location and relocated to the old Pearl Beer Distributing Company at I-10 at Hollywood. He believed in his customers and became an integral part of the Texas Chef’s Association to promote the professionalism of the industry that he loved and respected. His business was huge, but he ran it as a small family owned operation, many times working with his customers when they had problems paying their bills.
His grandfather, father and brother-in-law taught him to give back to the community and church. This philosophy was always present in Jake’s mind and heart. His actions echoed his feelings as he gave unselfishly to hundreds of organizations and churches of all denominations. Many times he gave, without being asked.
He graduated from St. Anne’s School in the 50’s, and then attended St. Anthony’s and graduated from Beaumont High in 1960
Children of all ages had a special place in his heart. When his older sister Marie and younger sister Benita, lost their husbands, he became the surrogate father to their children. But, the greatest joy in his life was his son Jake. Just as he had taught his young nephews, Jake taught his son how to master the art of fishing, hunting and sports. Many times he would help coach the teams, wining championships and teaching the team about sportsmanship, team play and winning.
While his son, nieces, nephews, and now great nieces were attending St. Anne’s, All Saints or Kelly High, Jake supported these schools . Working very hard on many fundraisers over the years to the schools he became an endeared figure to thousands.
He attended all activities not only his son’s but all of his niece’s and nephew’s and today he is active again in St. Anne’s and Kelly to support his great-nieces Christina, Crystal and Carol Majdalani . He would travel to Dallas just to be included in his great-niece Katy Brown’s First Communion or watch great-nephew Brooks Brown perform in his school play.
Dedicated to the Sicilian tradition of St. Joseph’s Day, he loved to donate produce for St. Joseph Day’s Altars. And was always honored when he was asked to be a saint on an Altar.
Jake loved to participate in the YMBL Fair Livestock Auction, many times donating the animal back to the youngsters so they could show them again at the Houston Livestock Show.
Jake loved his Arabian horses and became very involved when his son began showing horses. He served as president of the Spindletop Arabian Horse Show and was active in that organization.
He loved his family and always surrounded himself with them. When his eldest nephew Alex came to him with a business idea, Jake was thrilled to create that partnership. They partnered to create Alaskan Snowbiz Snow Cone Stands, a very successful business venture that now includes a tree lot in December. In 1982, when niece Debbie asked her uncle about a location for the first Bando’s location, it was Jake that insisted they purchase property together. Jake loved to travel with his family, over the last forty years many times including his nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews .
Working side by side with his father, Jake the 3rd is now in control of his father’s produce company. Together with cousins Alex and Michael, they will continue to help run the company. Jake was so proud of his son and the new changes he was making at the company.
The Mazzu family would like to thank the Doctors and their staff who treated Jake. Special love and thanks to his good friends Dr. Rudy Sotolongo and Dr. George Thomas. The family will be forever grateful to Dr. Lozano and his dialysis staff.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 2:00 p.m. Monday, December 27, 2004 at St. Jude Catholic Church followed by burial at Magnolia Cemetery under the direction of Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin, Beaumont. Serving as pallbearers will be his nephews, Michael and Ralph Brown, Carlos Hernandez, Paul Freddie, Harold Stitley, Terry Cormier, Sam Watley and Enricki Montez. Honorary pallbearers are Dr. Charles Dyer, LM Hebert, Pete Maida, Frank Messina, Joseph “Bub” Messina, Jude Messina, Vincent Messina, Tyke Noshke, Michael Phelan and Steve Sanders. A rosary will be recited 6:00 p.m. Sunday evening, December 26, 2004 at the Mortuary.
Everyone one is welcomed to the family gathering at Bando’s at 215 North 11th street immediately following the interment.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations made to the St. Anne’s Catholic School Athletic Department, 375 N 11th Street, Beaumont, Texas 77701.
Jake touched the lives of many people. He will live in the hearts of his family and friends forever
